Possibility Starts Small and Local

When Sophia Joe’s family moved to Thurston County, they knew they wanted to grow deep roots in this place. Looking back, they’re grateful for that choice. Over the past 20+ years, the family has gained so much from being part of this community. Sophia and her sister received a great education through Olympia schools, built lifelong friendships, and made connections that would open future doors. This community also served as rich soil for them to cultivate values like generosity, leadership, and service—together as a whole family.

One especially meaningful childhood memory for Sophia came from volunteering with her family at the Thurston County Food Bank. As the Community Foundation shared in a previous story, the COVID-19 pandemic increased health risks for many of the elders that food banks often rely on as volunteers. During that time, Sophia’s family and others increased their volunteer hours to help fill that gap. “We were online a lot,” Sophia recalls, “and my parents still wanted us to have social interactions with people.”

One of the people who volunteered alongside them at the Food Bank was Linda Terry, the sister-in-law of Sophia’s second grade teacher. Linda introduced Sophia to the Sharing Time with Elders Project (STEP), a local nonprofit that bridges generational gaps by bringing people of all ages together to share their wisdom and stories. Getting to know her teacher’s family and connecting to local elders through STEP helped shape Sophia in lasting ways.

Also among the people who shaped Sophia and her sister along the way were their neighbors, Betty and Patrick Gill. Betty taught first grade to generations of Olympia students, and Patrick served as school superintendent during his career. As educators and neighbors, they quietly helped inspire the values and curiosity that guided the sisters through childhood and beyond.

For Sophia, influences and memories like this are abundant. Giving, community, and service were simply part of her family’s life. She and her sister were never treated as too young to make a difference. They were always encouraged to notice which causes mattered to them and find ways to get involved. By the time she graduated, Sophia had completed over one hundred community service hours. That investment of time paid rich returns—helping her grow as a person, deepen relationships, and discover new possibilities.

From Global Inspiration to Tangible Local Change

The lessons and values Sophia learned growing up turned out to be good preparation for the adventures ahead.

During her second year of college—after graduating through Running Start at South Puget Sound Community College—Sophia traveled to the far side of the world at the age of 20 to study internationally. While working on a group project, she struck up a conversation about studying abroad with a classmate from Australia. Her Australian friend was fascinated by the idea, but he shared that, financially, it had never been on the table for him.

That got Sophia thinking about who has access to life-changing opportunities and who doesn’t. That question and what her friend said next really stuck with her. She asked what he wanted to do with his life and he replied that it didn’t matter what career he chose. What mattered most to him was that he wanted to give back to people.

Hearing that kind of purpose from a young friend was moving. “To hear that from someone my age really inspired me. I was in a position where I could give back, and I wanted to give opportunities to students like that.”

That moment planted a seed that grew into the Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund, the newest scholarship offered through the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound.

The Leadership of the Future

Today, after earning a degree in marketing and a minor in international business, Sophia works as a sales and event manager. For her, it’s a dream job that blends her love of people, leadership, and hospitality—something she might not have imagined at sixteen.

In fact, reflecting on her high school self, Sophia shares, “One of the things I’ve always kind of struggled with was the idea of just kind of going for it and taking that leap of faith.” If she could go back and speak to herself as a graduating senior, she’d say, “Take every opportunity, even ones you wouldn’t normally say yes to. You can learn so much from every opportunity you get.”

Learning to embrace opportunities was something Sophia learned over time as she developed her own leadership. And that didn’t happen alone. When she talks about her leadership journey, she focuses on the people around her. “Leadership to me means not just one person, but a village of people whose end goal is the best of others. When you see a strong team and a strong foundation of working together, it empowers not only the group but also yourself.”

Sophia knows she’s been fortunate to grow into her potential because of the strong village around her. From the values instilled by her family to the knowledge she gained from her teachers all the way to her current job, which she secured through community connections built over the years. She was also a scholarship recipient, so she knows how powerful it is to have the support of strangers who believe in you too.

Each year, when we review scholarship applications here at the Community Foundation, we witness so many inspiring students building similar foundations of leadership. Sometimes it looks like showing up consistently at school or work, caring for younger siblings, volunteering quietly behind the scenes, staying late to help clean up after an event, taking initiative on a group project, listening well, or encouraging a friend. There are so many ways to lead.

The diverse leadership and endless possibilities we see in local students are why we believe so deeply in our scholarship program. To our young people—as you continue to grow and lead in ways that reflect our local community, you are shaping the future. We’re honored to be part of your journey! And, if you’re a graduating South Sound senior, we’d love to hear more about your journey and hope you’ll explore the Scholarship Page on our website and apply.

Our scholarship applications are open NOW through March 27, 2026. Most of our scholarships use a universal application, making it easy to apply for all the scholarships you’re eligible for at once rather than filling out multiple forms. Check it out today and let us know if you need help!

I Want Them to Feel Seen

The Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund is one of the many scholarships available through the Community Foundation. This scholarship is for Thurston County seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA who have demonstrated leadership and community service and plan to pursue a business-related degree.

Since this is the inaugural year of the Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund, we asked Sophia what she hopes recipients will feel when they are awarded this scholarship in 2026 and future years.

“Seen,” she says. “I really want them to feel like they’ve been seen; they’ve been heard and appreciated. Because going through high school and applying to college is a huge milestone and I think some people don’t take a step back and realize, I did that. And as they’re turning the page in the next chapter, realizing they need to take every opportunity they can, I want them to have a fresh breath of air and less financial worry.”

Sophia’s hopes for other scholarship recipients reflect how she felt receiving a scholarship herself. Beyond the financial support, what meant most to her was the affirmation that someone beyond her immediate circle had noticed her work and believed in her future. That is the heart behind all our scholarships.

If you are standing at the edge of graduation wondering what is possible for you, this is your invitation to apply. You’ve reached a big milestone, and your future deserves investment.

Families Who Practice Giving Together

The story behind the Sophia Joe Scholarship Fund begins and ends with love—love for family, love for place, love for friends, and love for community.

Long before international travel or professional milestones, there were parents who invited their daughters to notice needs in their community. There were volunteer shifts at the Food Bank, finding joy in a place to call home, conversations about generosity, and small acts that accumulated over time into deeply rooted values.

Here at the Community Foundation, we believe there is immense possibility in families who give and serve together. It strengthens bonds and helps youth understand both their own opportunities and the realities faced by others.

For families wondering where to begin, Sophia offers simple advice based on her own story.

“Start small,” she says.  

We agree. Pay attention to what your children care about and find little ways to get involved together. A few hours of volunteering can open a new way of seeing the world. One small step of generosity can grow into a lifelong habit.

Across our region, families are already practicing this every day—serving meals, coaching teams, mentoring students, supporting nonprofits, donating quietly and consistently. Together, these acts shape the character and wellbeing of our community.

​​Stories like Sophia’s remind us that when a community invests in its students, it helps make more possible for everyone. Possibility rarely appears at once. It grows where generosity is modeled, where leadership is encouraged, and where children are invited to contribute early. It begins small. It begins locally. And sometimes, it grows into something that reaches far beyond what anyone first imagined.